Fish. The candy darter, also known as the finescale saddled darter, rarely reaches 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length. The five black saddles that begin in front of the first dorsal fin and end in front of the tail identify the candy darter. Blue-green bars bordered by brilliant red bars surrounded by white identify the males during spawning season. Their habitat is small, cool and warm streams with the adults usually in the fastest flowing water. Little is known of their biology and they are considered endangered.

Scientific
Name

Lifespan

Etheostoma osburni

3 years

Diet

Carnivore. Insects.

Predators and Threats

Brown trout, and humans.

Habitat

Small streams to medium sized rivers; Upper Kanawha River system of West Virginia and Virginia, United States.